Ballinasloe will once again become a meeting place for traditional music, song, dance, heritage and community spirit when Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds returns from September 3 to 6, 2026.
Now in its 13th year, the festival has grown from a single tribute concert into a much-loved celebration of the distinctive musical traditions of East Galway. What began in 2014 as an event honouring the legacy of the late Larry Reynolds has developed into a packed weekend that attracts musicians, dancers, singers, craftspeople and visitors from near and far.
At the heart of the festival is a simple idea: keeping tradition alive by bringing people together. Across four days, Ballinasloe will host music sessions, workshops, céilithe, competitions, exhibitions, heritage events, craft demonstrations and opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate.
The festival committee says the support and welcome of the people of Ballinasloe remain central to its success. The Féile is a non-profit community festival, costing approximately €30,000 each year to stage. Most events remain free, helping ensure that the weekend is accessible to everyone. Organisers are appealing for donations to help secure the festival's future.
The 2026 programme features a formidable line-up of talent, including musicians such as Ademar O’Connor, Keelan McGrath, Ríona Hely, Steph Geremia, John Wynne, Máirín Fahy, Patsy Broderick, Tony Sweeney and many more.
The festival opens on Thursday, September 3, with a programme that reflects the breadth of the Féile. A heritage walk led by Christy Cunniffe will explore Ballinasloe's history, while a school art competition exhibition will showcase the work of local national school pupils.
Craftsmanship
At the Pop Up Fiddle House on Society Street, visitors can discover the craftsmanship of Paddy Hassett, who has made more than 18 handmade fiddles using traditional tools and techniques. Competitors will also take to the streets for the U18 and O18 Street Busking Competition.
Community inclusion will be another important feature. The “Ceol le Chéile” session brings together friends from Corlann, Down Syndrome Ireland, Ability West, Resilience Health Care and local musicians for an afternoon of traditional music, laughter and shared participation.
Competitions will take place alongside performances, including the All Ireland U18 Open Fiddle Competition and the U18 Irish-language speaking competition. Accordion player Keelan McGrath will also launch his album The Reel Road, while singers' circles at local venues will provide space for songs, stories and ballads.
The official festival launch takes place that evening at Gibbons Pillar House, followed by an evening of traditional music and song. Later, an evening céilí at Gullane’s Hotel will offer set dancing to Uí Bhrian, before the final Thursday-night session brings musicians together at The Pillar House.
Friday continues the musical atmosphere with traditional sessions throughout participating pubs and venues. Music will also spill into the Indoor Country Market and Ballinasloe Town Square, where an open-air session will give visitors the chance to experience the energy of traditional music in the heart of the town.
Saturday turns the spotlight towards learning, history and craftsmanship. Music workshops will take place at Scoil an Chroí Naofa, offering participants the opportunity to learn from some of the country's leading traditional musicians.
Among the festival tutors are Ademar O’Connor on fiddle, Keelan McGrath on button accordion, Ríona Hely on concertina, Steph Geremia on flute, Ryan Owens on bodhrán and banjo, and set-dancing teacher Michael Cusack.
Tuition
Their credentials reflect the high standard of tuition on offer. O’Connor is a 23-time All Ireland champion and has won titles across several instruments. McGrath is a multi-award-winning accordion player with extensive teaching and performance experience, while Hely has established herself as one of the rising names in concertina playing.
The East Galway tradition itself will receive particular attention on Saturday morning when Joe Tully presents a talk and music recital at Ballinasloe Library. The event will explore the remarkable musical creativity that emerged from the area between Kilconnell and Eyrecourt, tracing the influence of local uilleann pipers, composers and musicians.
The programme will consider figures associated with the Aughrim Slopes, including Paddy Kelly, Joe Mills, Paddy Fahey and Paddy O’Brien, as well as musicians from Clontuskert and Eyrecourt. It is an opportunity to look beyond the performances and explore the people and places that helped shape the region's distinctive musical repertoire.
Meanwhile, local artisans will take over Main Street and Society Street for a traditional crafters display, giving visitors a chance to see skills and crafts demonstrated at first hand.
Sunday brings the festival towards its close with further sessions, a special festival Mass at St Michael’s Church and a set-dancing workshop led by Michael Cusack at Gullane’s Hotel.
For the organisers, however, the Féile is about more than a programme of events. It is a celebration of identity, memory and community, with music providing the thread connecting generations.
As Ballinasloe prepares to welcome musicians and visitors once again, Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds promises four days in which the sounds, stories, skills and traditions of East Galway can be experienced, shared and passed on. In doing so, the festival continues the legacy of Larry Reynolds while giving the next generation a place to make its own contribution to the living tradition.
